Taming Tanzania's National Parks

When planning a holiday - particularly a safari - it can be
difficult to know how the different regions within a country vary.
Sure you've settled on Tanzania, but
now you've got to decide whether you want to explore the northern
Ngorongoro or the southern Serengeti,
oh and what about those other off the beaten track parks and
reserves you've heard are secretly the best? Or should you simply
combine them all? It's a minefield, really. Well that's where we
come in…

Arusha

The town of Arusha, the gateway to northern Tanzania, is located
at the base of Mount Meru and looks out to Africa's highest peak,
Mount Kilimanjaro. We wouldn't suggest more than a stopover in
Arusha but there is plenty to do here. The area is known for its
historic and numerous coffee plantations, and we recommend taking a
tour of one of the coffee estates to see the process from bean to
cup. If there's time, a trip to Shanga, a fantastic social
enterprise in the city, is also well worth a visit. Combining
artistic flare and social development, Shanga employs people with
disabilities to make unique glassware and jewellery which can then
be bought as lovely souvenirs.

Where to Stay: Arusha Coffee Lodge,
Legendary Lodge

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is one of those secret gems you've
probably never heard of; think perennially pretty rolling savannahs
dotted with termite mounds and majestic baobabs. In the summer
months, elephant herds can be found in their hundreds here and the
diversity of plains game is wide; from giraffes to elands, impalas
to zebras and even lions and leopards. Two focal points you should
tick off in this region of Tanzania are the Silale Swamp and the
Tarangire River, where game congregates in huge numbers.
Birdwatchers will also be in their element with over 550 species
found in the park.

Ngorongoro Crater

The three-million-year-old
Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken caldera in the world.
Much more than a volcanic crater though, this UNESCO World Heritage
Site is also home to a huge array of wildlife, all roaming across
the 12-mile-wide crater floor. Some of the most likely candidates
to spot are elephants, buffalos, giraffes, black-maned lions, and
even endangered black rhinos. Higher up on the crater rim the
region is also a heartland for the Maasai people. As you drive up
to the top of the crater, and your lodge, your much more likely to
see a Maasai shepherd and his sheep than lions or elephants. So
while here, pair your safari with some exploration of the remote
villages, padi fields and banana plantations to get a real sense of
rural Tanzanian life.

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti
really needs no introduction. The endless open plains are
populated by all of the Big Five and every year (between June and
September) it plays hosts to the Great Migration of millions of
wildebeest. Outside of the migration months the park is no less
dramatic and, in fact, these less busy times of year can produce
some of the best wildlife sightings, especially of big cats. We
work with a range of camps and lodges in and around the park and
can recommend which region and which time of year is best suited to
what you want to get out of your Tanzanian safari.

Selous Game Reserve

Despite being another relatively secret safari destination, the
mighty Selous
Game Reserve is actually the largest game reserve in Africa.
Its size lends itself to a huge diversity of landscapes, from
volcanic springs to untamed jungle and football-pitch-deep gorges.
When it comes to wildlife the reserve offers just as much variety;
you might spot endangered wild dogs darting across the savannah
plains, giraffes nibbling from the jungle trees, elephants and
hippos along the banks of the Rufiji River, and lions using the
reserve's natural hiding places to chase prey in broad daylight.
Since the Selous is a game reserve rather than a national park
there are fewer restrictions on activities here too and we can
arrange everything from water-based safaris and fishing excursions
to walking safaris and fly-camping trips.

Ruaha National Park

It might not be the most famous but
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania's largest. Tucked away among
the central highlands, the park is still relatively unexplored and
remains something of an untamed wilderness, with a huge diversity
of beasties including one of the largest populations of elephant in
Africa. During the dry season the park becomes very arid and, with
few other water sources, the Ruaha River is a real focal point for
game viewing. Away from the river the dry open hillsides force
antelope and buffalo to gather into large herds to defend
themselves from predatory lions, while leopards, zebra and giraffe
can all also be spotted in large numbers. Wild dog sightings have
grown in recent years too, making this one of the last refuges for
this endangered species.

Mahale Mountains

Tanzania's western Mahale Mountains are home to the largest
group of habituated wild chimpanzees in the world. Rising up from
the sandy shores of Lake Tanganyika the mountains are dense and
lush with river valleys and waterfalls winding through the forested
landscape. Trek through the mountains with a dedicated guide and
enjoy the extraordinary experience of watching our closest cousins
in their natural habitat.

About Natalie Walford

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